Casting call for The Dying Eye - independent film

Message from Shiphrah Meditz:

Hello,

I'm an independent filmmaker from Texas. This Oct. I'm producing and directing my feature film, "The Dying Eye," a psychothriller set in Edinburgh.

I'm looking for Scottish actors to cast the entire film. I've attached the casting list and synopsis for you. This is a microbudget film. Positions will be low-pay/unpaid. Food, beverages, and transport (within city limits) will be provided. Lead actors will get partial ownership in the film. The film will be sent to international film festivals and optioned for distribution.

For further questions, I can be reached at shiphrahmeditz@gmail.com

To learn more about "The Dying Eye," see:

My Film Campaign: http://www.indiegogo.com/TheDyingEyeMovie

Production Blog: http://meditzproductions.wordpress.com/

Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you,

Shiphrah

Note: The Production Blog includes a casting list.

Stunning Panoramic Poster For Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’

Warner Bros has unveiled, via Entertainment Weekly (check it out in its full “scrolling banner” format here), an excellent panoramic banner for the first-part in Peter Jackson’s two-part movie adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit,’ ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.’

The banner showcases a number of new looks at many the stories major players in Martin Freeman’s Bilbo Baggins, Ian McKellen’s Gandalf the Grey, Richard Armitage’s Thorin Oakenshield, Jed Brophy’s Nori, Dean O’Gorman’s Fili, Mark Hadlow’s Dori, James Nesbitt’s Bofur, Peter Hambleton’s Gloin, Graham McTavish’s Dwalin, Ken Stott’s Balin, John Callen’s Oin, Stephen Hunter’s Bombur, William Kircher’s Bifur, Adam Brown’s Ori, Aidan Turner’s Kili, Mikael Persbrandt’s Beorn, Cate Blanchett’s Galadriel and Hugo Weaving’s Elrond.

The two Hobbit films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before ‘The Lord of the Rings’ which Peter Jackson and his film-making team brought to the big screen in the fantastic blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.’ ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ is set for a December 14th, 2012 release date. ‘The Hobbit: There and Back Again’ will arrive in cinemas December 13th, 2013.

Reprising their roles from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movies are Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey, Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo, Christopher Lee as Saruman, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The ensemble cast includes the likes of Martin Freeman, who’s taking on the central role of Bilbo Baggins, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Billy Connolly, and Aidan Turner.

Check out the synopsis for ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ below the four sections of the banner at Flicks And Bits

Screen Daily reviews Almost In Love

To a certain extent Sam Neave’s impressively made indie film Almost In Love is as much about the structure – it is made up of two single 40 minute takes – as it is the story. That being said, there are moments (especially in the second section) when the mood, momentum and performances all dovetail nicely, resulting in some astutely memorable moments.

Unsurprisingly given the structure of the film, it is really all about both script and improvisation, while kudos should also go to Daniel McKeowen’s lush cinematography that adapts to suit the elements, structure and performers and helps being out the best in all departments. Lack of major known performers – apart from Scottish actor Alan Cumming – will make it a hard sell theatrically, but it remains oddly affecting and well worth a look.

The film, which had its world premiere at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival – does show to young wannabe filmmakers that movie-making isn’t just about hand-held digital camera moves, but can also be about a thoughtfully made ‘drama’ that is trying to dwell on that most filmed subject – love and all its complications.

The first part of the film is set on the balcony of a Staten Island apartment with views over New York at sunset. A dinner party is being hosted by writer Sasha (an impressive Alex Karpovsky), who is cooking on an electric barbeque much to the amusement of his guests. He has invited the love of his life Mia (Marjan Neshat), but is mortified when one of his friends also casually invites Kyle (Gary Wilmes), an old friend of his who until recently was dating Mia.

Things go from bad to worse as the increasingly drunken Kyle forces Sasha to face up to – and admit out loud – his love Mia. The second section is set 18 months later as many of the same friends gather at a plush beach house in the Hamptons for a wedding party…the celebrate the fact that Sasha is married.

Who he is married to would be to reveal more than is needed, but this half of the film deals with the changed dynamic amongst the key friends, while the introduction of other characters helps give it a needed sense of momentum. The addition of Alan Cumming especially – who brims with energy and seems to be able to spot when the film needs extra improv attention – helps this section, and there is more attention to the script and less to the camera moves as the story moves in delicate and intriguing circles.

Unsurprisingly Almost In Love has a resolutely stagey feel, with certain sections working better than others. While Alex Karpovsky has an easy feel for the free-flowing dialogue, the real find is Marjan Neshat who radiates easy warmth and sexuality and it is easy to see why so many men are intrigued by her character.

Source: Screen Daily

'Young Hearts Run Free' + Director Q&A and Networking

Scottish Actors received an email this week from the producer of a new independent Scottish film. The content of the email is reproduced here:

I am Andy Mark Simpson the writer, director and producer of independent feature film 'Young Hearts Run Free' which was made on a tiny budget with my own money but has been getting attention in the national press (*** Total Film, *** The Telegraph, 'Heartfelt' The Guardian), has won awards at festivals in Britain, USA and India and has been released in UK cinemas. The special screening events are more involving and have a Q&A so audiences can meet the team and ask anything they like about the award-winning performances, directing, production and innovative new distribution strategy and can learn how this film (which features 1970s period detail, scenes down a coal-mine and a full riot) was made for 'less than the price of a family car'.

Synopsis
'Young Hearts Run Free'
Friendship, First Loves, Rebellion!
1974; during a violent coal-miners strike in a quiet village a teenage artist falls in love with the gorgeous new girl but their attempts to escape cause him to betray his family, community and best friends. This award-winning coming of age story is an uplifting and soulful mix of cool 1970s styles, warm-hearted romance, teenage angst and gritty social realism.
(Rated 12A)

‘Young Hearts Run Free’ screening, director Q&A and networking
Micro-budget self-funded feature and discussion of innovative distribution strategy
EDINBURGH(Dominion Cinema , 18 Newbattle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 4RT)
Tues 31st May 6pm
0131 447 4771 www.dominioncinemas.net
Film lasts 94 mins then Q&A follows. BBFC certificate 12A.
(***Total Film, ***The Telegraph, 'Heartfelt' The Guardian)

View Trailer
http://www.bedefilms.co.uk/trailer.asp#trailer

KIRKCALDY(Adam Smith Theatre,Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1ET)
Wed 8th June
Tickets £4-£5
01592 583302 www.attfife.org.uk
Film lasts 94 mins then Q&A follows. BBFC certificate 12A.
(***Total Film,***The Telegraph, 'Heartfelt' The Guardian)
View Trailer
http://www.bedefilms.co.uk/trailer.asp#trailer


Feel free to get in touch any time and spread the word to anyone you think may be interested. I hope to meet a lot of actors and filmmakers at the events.

Thanks,

Andy Mark Simpson
Director and Producer 'Young Hearts Run Free'
Bede Films
07795162160
01670-815901
andy@youngheartsrunfreefilm.com
www.bedefilms.co.uk
Twitter @YoungHeartsFilm

REVIEWS:
‘canny enough to stand comparison with coming-of-age Brit-flicks like SoulBoy and Cemetery Junction.’–***Total Film
'closer in kind to Brassed Off and The Full Monty, fusing politics and romance’–***The Telegraph
‘Heartfelt’ and ‘warmhearted, with evidence that Simpson will have more to offer in his next film.’-The Guardian.
'This has probably been the most enjoyable evening of everyfilmin2011 so far'.-everyfilmin2011.com
'Young Hearts Run Free is a fascinating, passionate, revelatory tale of what it is to be young and in love. This is a wonderfully realised debut from a seriously talented newcomer.’ 4/5 – Project Bootleg (Bootleg Film Festival)
'it's more like coal of a rough-hewn quality-the producers have the potential to produce a diamond. See it and contribute' -The Morning Star